Basqueculture.eus is an official website designed for international audiences, focusing on various aspects of Basque culture, art, creativity, heritage and language. It is a window into the culture of our land. We invite you to look through the window and explore the articles, stories and essays by the people who create and shape our culture. A project by the Etxepare Basque Institute.
Art
A new generation of visual artists has risen to prominence in recent years. Born in the late 1970s and early 1980s and trained at the University of the Basque Country’s Faculty of Fine Arts, these artists have gained acclaim that extends beyond the country´s borders.
Performing arts
Within the context of live performance in the Basque Country, tradition constitutes an inestimable source of inspiration for contemporary creators. It is where many of us draw our inspiration in developing new texts. We develop contemporary Basque artistic creation on the basis of traditional culture. And this is an approach repeated in every artistic sphere. It seemingly reflects our desire to proclaim the singularity and vitality of Basque culture, and also to preserve it.
Literature and books
Over the years, Basque literature and cinema have intertwined to bring us unforgettable works. Although the exact origin of the collaboration between the two disciplines is unclear, many trace it back to the 1980s.
Pello Reparaz´s musical project has emerged as the most popular band in the Basque Country, driven by an ever-evolving creative vision.
Gastronomy
You can’t come to Basque Country without going for pintxos
Music
Rich in mystery, the Basque people have been connected to music and song since time immemorial. In the Basque Country, there exists an ancient and lesser-known practice called basa ahaide, which can be roughly translated as «wild melodies». This unique tradition is practiced only by a select few initiates.
Society and traditions
The flag of this French overseas territory off the south coast of Newfoundland pays homage to the Basques, Bretons and Normans who arrived at least as far back as least the sixteenth century.
Basqueculture.eus is also a gateway for industry professionals seeking information on the audiovisual, music, art, publishing and performing arts sectors, as well as Basque heritage and language. This website will allows you to contact the main operators in these sectors.
Euskal Herria, which means ‘land of the Basque language’, is located in southern Europe, at the western end of the Pyrenees. It straddles both sides of the mountain range, through valleys and plains to the wild Cantabrian Sea. This ancient land boasts an extraordinary culture, and a language unlike any other in the world. The Basque Country, also known as Euskadi or Euskal Herria, is inclusive and welcoming, and everything is within easy reach. Having adapted to change, this modern society leads the way in Europe in terms of quality of life and sustainable development.
Euskara is the oldest living language in Europe. Its origin remains a mystery and it bears no resemblance to any other family of languages. It has survived for centuries, and in so doing, the Basques have preserved a rich, unique culture. A case in point is the robust health enjoyed by the Basque art of improvised verse (bertsolaritza), a formidable force in Basque culture today. Currently, some 900,000 people speak Basque. The language also enjoys a strong presence in the educational, cultural, social and digital spheres.
This is a land of deep roots and unique traditions, folklore, and mythology. Together with the language, they occupy a prominent place in the collective imagination. But more than just a way of interpreting the past, our heritage serves as a basis on which to forge our future. Ours is a modern land where tradition and modernity live together in harmony.
